THE sport is as Scottish as whippets and Lancashire hotpot and the team has only one bona fide Braveheart.

THE sport is as Scottish as whippets and Lancashire hotpot and the team has only one bona fide Braveheart.

But there's pride at stake and glory on offer in the rugby league World Cup and even though the only homebred Jock is actually called Paddy, Scotland are determined to be taken seriously when they kick off their campaign against France in Canberra tomorrow.

Except for Edinburgh Eagles stand-off Paddy Couper, all of the players were recruited by granny rule.

But in the week Nacho Novo has been stating his case for a place in our national football team, coach Steve McCormack, a Yorkshireman, insists his players are as committedto the cause as any native Scot.

He said: "It might seem these lads are here because it's their only chance to play at the World Cup.

"But they are all very proud people and feel like Scots. In fact, 95 per cent of them have been with us for the past four years - they are as passionate as anyone born in Scotland.

"At the last World Cup the team contained a lot of players from Australia's top league and they probably weren't committed. But these boys are proud.

"Rugby league is not as big as rugby union is in Scotland but we are working hard to bring more Scots through to play for the country.

Rugby league has more to offer and is more skilful than union.

"The interest generated by the World Cup and by Scotland's own performances will get more and more people interested in the game."

The clash with France kicks off at 6am and McCormack pleaded with the folks at home to sacrifice their Sunday morning lie-in.

He said: "The media and fans here have certainly taken to us. We have been better received than any other team and have received more coverage than even Australia have.

"There is a massive media scrum around the team.

"Australians have taken us to their hearts and I hope now that Scots do the same."

Scotland beat Wales in qualifying and McCormack reckons they can stun the French and Fiji in Pool 2.

He added: "We have never won a World Cup game so that is our first priority.